Self Defense Virginia

Our program is a self-defense system called Combat Hapkido. It is an internationally recognized system of self-defense training known for its extreme versatility and comprehsensive discipline of self protection.

The system is well-suited for men and women of all sizes and ages (12 years old and up) — physical strength and athletic abilities are not essential. The result is a practical and realistic self-defense system which is fun to learn and offers tangible solutions to realistic life situations.  Our approach to self-defense is both practical and highly scientific.

Students learn dynamic concepts that are based on scientific principles of anatomy and biokinetics — as well as pscyhology and stragegy.  The emphasis is on redirecting the assailant’s force and controlling the attacker with minimum effort on the student’s part.

In addition to learning effective self defense, Combat Hapkido provides the student with the means to improve their physical fitness, awareness, flexibility and self-confidence.  As the student progresses through the program he or she will gain the confidence, awareness and attitude to avoid confrontation and de-escalate a potentially dangerous situation.

The concepts and skills they learn give them the capability to protect themselves or their loved ones if faced with any potentiallly life-threatening situations, where defending themselves or their loved ones is necessary to prevent physical injury or loss of life.

Is there an age requirement?

We accept students ages 12 and up.  The majority of our students are adults.

Do I need to be a member of Gold’s Gym in order to take your classes?

No, membership at Gold’s Gym is not required.

Do you offer a trial membership?

All potential students are invited to try our program for several lessons without any financial commitment.  You are welcome to call me at any time to discuss the program and to arrange a time to visit our class.

What is the class attire?

Upon registration, students will receive a black t-shirt.  Students are expected to wear comfortable black pants to class.   Potential students may wear comfortable gym clothing while participating in trial classes.

Fitness Anyone?

April, 2007

By Andrea Barok, B.S.  Certified Personal Trainer

Does the word fitness bring you pleasant memories of your recent workouts and gratifying food choices you made today? Well, for some, it does. Yet, for some others, it can bring a feeling of uneasiness or even anxiety, over missed exercise sessions or not so optimal eating habits. Is fitness another chore you do not have time for? For these folks, let’s pause for a moment and think. What does fitness mean to you?

Let’s start thinking about fitness as an opportunity instead.  We are talking about an opportunity that is available to you to improve upon your health, looks, and general well being.

Ok, now that’s different. So, take the pressure off and change strategy.

If you have ever received an email from me, you might have noticed that the signature includes the line “Make it a fit day! Every day!” How can we make every day a fit day?

Do I have to work out hard every day to be fit? Absolutely not!
Do I have to be skinny to be fit?  Absolutely not!

What is fitness anyway? Components of fitness are optimal level of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility, as well as the achievement and maintenance of ideal body weight, according to the American Council on Exercise. This means burning calories, building muscle, stretching, and eating healthy.

Fitness is a lifestyle. Making everyday choices can affect your fitness level greatly. Playing ball with the kids on the weekend is not only more fun but also healthier than, let’s say, settling down on the couch for the afternoon. Most of us know what our healthy choices are, but it’s just hard to get motivated. Remember, it’s always a good time to start. If, for instance, you missed your exercise session yesterday, just get back on track today. Leaving your office half an hour early will not only help you with rush hour, but might allow for some “You Time” either at your health club or home gym. You will feel so much better. By the way, when was the last time you used that piece of home exercise equipment?

Fitness is about making improvements and changing habits. This can be different for each individual. For an elite athlete, for example, improving a sprint time by a hundredth of a second can mean Olympic medal. For the rest of us, adding a 20-30 minute cardio session three times per week or exchanging a processed snack with a crunchy apple once in a while can be an improvement. Let fitness come to you gradually. They say it takes 21 days to change a habit, so take one step at a time. Buy seven apples each week. Take them with you to work and eat one each day. Sounds easy?

Fitness is about setting goals. Realistic goals. Ok, if you are already exercising and eating apples, what can you do further? Many people go to gyms and still do not feel that they are achieving their fitness goals.
Unfortunately, about 70% stop exercising after just 6 weeks. Why? Mostly, due to setting unrealistic short term goals, starting an exercise routine way too hard or not having effective strategy, and therefore get burned out and never return. Try not to be perfect. Consistency and a little patience go a long way.

More on these issues in future news letters…
Until then; Make it a fit day! Every day!

by Andrea Borak

As a small sized woman, I have found Combat Hapkido to provide me with tools that increase my confidence in many situations in life. I not only feel safer because of the self-defense techniques I have learned, but I am also more aware of what’s going on around me when walking to my car or entering my building at night.
The Combat Hapkido workouts also provide increased flexibility, coordination and body control, and increased fitness level. All of these added benefits help me in my job as a personal trainer, and are valuable to me as a former athlete.
I would recommend Combat Hapkido to anyone who is interested in learning self-defense techniques and improving their overall fitness level.

by Wade Austin, Jr

Thanks to Ray Powers (a Combat Hapkido practitioner) I was introduced to a class taught by Master John Scali.  A class with dedicated students willing to share their knowledge.  I have practiced with the class for several months.  During this period I have gained in the following areas:

• Confidence:  by achieving only one belt my confidence has grown to a level that I now feel better equipped to protect both myself and family in adverse conditions.
• Flexibility:  I had forgotten how limber I ‘use to’ be in my early 20’s.  Today, my arms, wrists, and torso are nearly as flexible as they were then and I am close to completing a full split.  Something just a couple of months ago I thought I would never achieve again.
• Respect:  My former, fellow Tae Kwon Do partners are proud to know that I am leading the way back into the martial arts.  All of them have stated their desire to take a similar type of self defense class in order to regain general conditioning and the ability to protect themselves and their families.

It is my intention with God’s help to dedicate myself to achieiving a black belt in Combat Hapkido.  The benefits to be gained out weight the time, energy, and practice I must do in order to accomplish this goal.

Thank you, Master Scali, for accepting me into your special world.  I do not take this honor lightly.

Combat Hapkido is a modern, dynamic self defense system that offers all the benefits of classical martial arts but without rituals, rigidity, obsolete techniques, or unsafe exercises.

Benefits include:

Physical Benefits

• Stamina and endurance
• Muscle tone and strength
• Weight loss
• Flexibility
• Balance and coordination
• Stress Reduction

Character Development

• Self Confidence
• Self Discipline
• Positive attitude
• Patience
• Perseverance
• Respect

Cognitive Benefits

• Self defense techniques
• Increased awareness
• Knowledge of human anatomy and pressure points
• Survival Skills
• Improved Concentration

Traditional Hapkido and Combat Hapkio explained:

Combat Hapkido is a new, modern style of Hapkido developed by Grandmaster John Pellegrini.  It differs from other Hapkido styles philosophically as well as technically.

The following are a few examples:

• Combat Hapkido is 100% SELF DEFENSE.  There are no forms (Kata/Hyungs)
• All Combat Hapkido kicks are directed to the lower part of the body
• Combat Hapkido does not teach ‘acrobatic kicks.’
• Combat Hapkido employs breakfalls and throws in a very limited manner
• Combat Hapkido does NOT teach ‘traditional’ weapons like joot-do (bamboo sword) or fan.  We teach cane, belt and other self-defense tools
• Combat Hapkido teaches special firearms disarming techniques
• Combat Hapkido contains a complete Ground Grappling program
• Combat Hapkido, because it is flexible, dynamic and eclectic, continues to evolve
• Combat Hapkido is not a sport and cannot be modified nor regulated to be one.  There are no competitions, tournaments or championships

From the “Defensive Arts Review,” Volume 14, Summer/Fall 2006

Read how Combat Hapkido was used in real life situations to save lives!

Charles H. Miller — 54 years old, is a TaeKwonDo instructor and a Blue Belt Combat Hapkido student of Kelvin Miller in Danville, Virginia.  Charles, a high school administrator in Roxboro, North Carolina, recently witnessed a fight break out between two very large students in the hallway.  During the escalation several teachers were also assaulted.  One of the instigators of the fight, already bloodied and in a violent rage, attacked Charles repeatedly but he calmly repelled each attack with a variety of strikes and tapping techniques.  Realizing that he could not get past Charles, the attacker fled up a stairway but was later captured by the police and taken to jail.  Charles Miller states:  “I feel very confident in the Combat Hapkido training.  Its bottom-line effectiveness is far superior to training I have received in earlier years.  Thanks Sabumnim Miller and GMP.”

Mary Hunt is a Combat Hapkido student of Master Hector Jimenez in Red Hook, New York. Mary does part-time security work for the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie. One night recently, during a performance of a “Hardcore Punk” show, one of the bouncers was attempting to eject an unruly customer when, suddenly, the obnoxious young man started to physically assault him. Mary, who was in a good position to assist, placed the subject in a quick choke-hold which resulted in the man being restrained and escorted out of the building without injury to anyone. Mary credits her Combat Hapkido training for her quick reflexes and controlling skills to successfully manage the incident.

Brady Bostain is a Combat Hapkido student of Rick Tischer in Holt, Michigan. One evening around 6 p.m. this past January, Brady was leaving a restaurant with his two young children. After securing them in the back seat of his car, he started to open his door when he was struck from behind, throwing him onto the seat. As he turned around, he was struck again in his right eye by a fist. Despite this, Brady was able to recover his balance and assume a defensive-stance. The assailant came at him again but this time Brady was able to execute a low side kick to his knee sending him to the ground in pain. Immediately, Brady noticed a second attacker coming at him with kicks and punches. Brady executed a ‘brush-trap’ movement, placed the attacker in a ‘center lock’ breaking his wrist and taking him to the ground. At this point the police arrived on the scene and took control of the assailants. This attack happened in the parking lot of a play-restaurant for children in one of the nicest suburbs of Lansing, the capital city of Michigan. No reason for the attack was determined, although authorities presume that robbery or car jacking was intended. Brady, who was emotionally shaken by the incident, said that all along his main concern had been to protect his children and that he never had to think about the ‘moves,’ they came naturally and instinctively. Brady believes that without self defense skills, he would have been left laying in the parking lot in a pool of blood with the fate of his children in jeopardy. He thanks his instructor and Combat Hapkido for saving him and his children.